On Wednesday, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) declared it would nationwide protest against the proposed 50 per cent telecom tariff hike announced by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on February 4 in a communiqué signed by its National President, Joe Ajaero.
The decision was taken at the National Administrative Council meeting of the NLC on January 29.
Similarly, Civil Society Organisations have pledged their support for the nationwide protest.
Failure to reverse the hike, Ajaero warned, might result in a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services.
The Civil Society Legislative and Advocacy Centre, the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria, and the Take It Back Movement endorsed the rally. They condemned the tariff hike and said they would participate in the protests.
The federal government approved a 50 per cent increase, though telecom operators requested a 100 per cent increase.
In response to the development, the NLC rejected the hike, describing it as insensitive, unjustifiable, and a direct assault on Nigerian workers and the general populace already burdened by the worsening economic situation.
Ajaero said, “After extensive discussions, the following resolutions were reached: NAC-in-session totally rejected the 50 per cent telecom tariff hike which it considers as too harsh for citizens. It therefore strongly condemns the Nigeria Communications Commission’s decision to approve the increase in telecommunications tariffs.
“This decision is insensitive, unjustifiable, and a direct assault on Nigerian workers and the general populace, who are already burdened by worsening economic hardship foisted on them by the policies of the government, which was no fault of theirs.”
He noted that the union would protest nationwide on February 4 to oppose the government’s decision.
Ajaero said, “To express our collective opposition to this arbitrary tariff hike, the NLC will embark on a nationwide mass rally on Tuesday, February 4, 2025.
‘’The rally will serve as a warning on the dangers of imposing such an unfair increase on a struggling population earning a minimum wage of only N70,000; a population that has suffered outrageous hikes in the price of petrol, high cost of food, hike in electricity tariff and general rising inflation.”
Ajaero directed all NLC affiliates to mobilise their members for the rally.
